U.S. patent application number 12/566228 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-24 for golf club head wear indicator.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKE, INC.. Invention is credited to Chia-Chyi Cheng, Gary D. Fedorochko, William F. Rauchholz.
Application Number | 20110070963 12/566228 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43216787 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110070963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fedorochko; Gary D. ; et
al. |
March 24, 2011 |
Golf Club Head Wear Indicator
Abstract
A golf club with a golf club head having a wear indicator is
provided. The wear indicator may be located on the club head face,
the hosel, the sole portion or the rear portion of the club head
body. Also, multiple wear indicators may be provided on separate
portions of the club head. Inserts may be used to provide a wear
indicating portion. A coating may be provided to serve as a wear
indicator.
Inventors: |
Fedorochko; Gary D.;
(Springfield, VA) ; Rauchholz; William F.;
(Portland, OR) ; Cheng; Chia-Chyi; (Hillsboro,
OR) |
Assignee: |
NIKE, INC.
Beaverton
OR
|
Family ID: |
43216787 |
Appl. No.: |
12/566228 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/226 ;
473/331; 473/342; 473/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0487 20130101;
A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 53/0445 20200801; A63B 53/0416 20200801;
A63B 53/042 20200801; A63B 69/3617 20130101; A63B 53/0433 20200801;
A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 53/0466 20130101; A63B 53/047 20130101;
A63B 53/04 20130101; A63B 53/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/226 ;
473/349; 473/331; 473/342 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04 |
Claims
1. A golf club head comprising: a body including a portion having
first and second regions which share a common border, wherein
material in the first region is configured to mix with material of
the second region in response to a pressure exceeding a threshold
pressure or a yield stress being exceeded, and wherein a mixture of
the materials in the first and second regions is visually
discernible from the individual materials.
2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the portion
having the first and second regions is the hosel portion.
3. The golf club head according to claim 1, further comprising a
face, wherein the portion having the first and second regions is
behind the face.
4. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the portion
having the first and second regions is a sole portion.
5. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the material of
the first region is a viscoplastic.
6. The golf club head according to claim 5, wherein the material of
the second region is a shear thinning liquid or a viscoplastic.
7. The golf club head according to claim 5, wherein the material of
the second region has a constant viscosity.
8. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the body
includes a ball striking member, the ball striking member being
formed of a first material and forming a striking face of the golf
club head; and an upper body member, the upper body member being
formed of a second material, different from the first material, and
being connected to a top surface of the ball striking member,
wherein the portion of the body having the first and second regions
is located in the upper body member.
9. The golf club head according to claim 8, wherein the upper body
member includes an insert including the first and second
regions.
10. The golf club head according to claim 9, wherein the insert is
located on the opposite side of the golf club head from the
striking face.
11. A golf club comprising: a golf club head comprising a body
including a portion having first and second regions which share a
common border, wherein material in the first region is configured
to mix with material of the second region in response to a pressure
exceeding a threshold pressure or a yield stress being exceeded,
and wherein a mixture of the materials in the first and second
regions is visually discernible from the individual materials; and
a shaft connected to the golf club head.
12. A golf club head comprising: a face configured for striking a
ball and including a portion having first and second regions which
share a common border, wherein material in the first region is
configured to mix with material of the second region in response to
a pressure exceeding a threshold pressure or a yield stress being
exceeded, and wherein a mixture of the materials in the first and
second regions is visually discernible from the individual
materials.
13. The golf club head according to claim 12, wherein the face
includes a cavity and an insert inserted into the cavity, the
insert being the portion of the face having the first and second
regions.
14. The golf club head according to claim 13, wherein, the insert
is located in a toe portion of the face.
15. The golf club head according to claim 13, wherein the insert is
located in a heel portion of the face.
16. The golf club head according to claim 13, wherein, the insert
is located in a portion of the face between a toe portion and a
heel portion of the face.
17. The golf club head according to claim 16, wherein the face
includes a plurality of grooves extending across a central region
of the face, the insert being located between neighboring
grooves.
18. The golf club head according to claim 13, wherein the face
includes a plurality of grooves extending across a central region
of the face, each groove including a compressible support, the
compressible support including the portion of the face having the
first and second regions.
19. The golf club head according to claim 18, wherein each groove
includes a groove insert, which serves as an outer surface of the
groove, the groove insert abutting the compressible support.
20. The golf club head according to claim 19, wherein the groove
insert is translucent.
21. A golf club head comprising: a body having a face, the face
having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and an
underlayer, a portion of the face being coated with a layer of
coating, the layer of coating being part of the outer surface and
the underlayer being under the layer of coating; and wherein the
layer of coating is configured to wear away in response to repeated
impact with a golf ball and expose the underlayer, the exposure of
the underlayer being visually identifiable.
22. The golf club head according to claim 21, wherein the face
includes a cavity and an insert inserted into the cavity, the
insert being the coated portion of the face.
23. The golf club head according to claim 21, wherein the face is
divided into a toe region, a heel region, and a central region,
wherein the coated portion of the face is located in one of the
heel region and the toe region.
24. The golf club head according to claim 21, wherein the face
includes a plurality of cavities and a plurality of inserts, the
inserts being the coated portion of the face and being inserted
into the cavities.
25. The golf club head according to claim 21, wherein the face is
divided into a toe region, a heel region, and a central region, the
coated portion of the face being located in the central region.
26. The golf club head according to claim 25, wherein the face
includes a plurality of grooves extending across the central region
of the face, the coated portion of the face being located between
neighboring grooves in the central region.
27. The golf club head according to claim 21, wherein the coated
portion of face is a dye.
28. The golf club head according to claim 21, wherein the
underlayer is a different color or has a different color intensity
than the coated portion of the face.
29. A golf club head comprising: a body including face and a rear
surface, on an opposite side of the body from the face, including a
translucent portion, and first and second regions between the ball
striking surface and the rear surface, the first and second regions
sharing a common border, wherein materials in the first and second
regions are configured to mix together in response to a pressure
exceeding a threshold pressure or a yield stress being
exceeded.
30. A golf club head comprising: a body having a face, the face
including a cavity, an insert inserted into the cavity, and an
outer surface configured for striking a ball, an exterior surface
of the insert being part of the outer surface; and wherein the
exterior surface of the insert is configured to wear away in
response to repeated impact with a golf ball and expose a visually
identifiable substance or provide an audible response.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The disclosure relates generally to ball striking devices,
such as golf club heads. In particular, a golf club head is
provided with a wear indicator.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The popularity of the game of golf has increased immensely
in recent decades. Golfers at all skill levels seek to improve
their performance, lower their golf scores, and reach that next
performance "level." Most amateur golfers play with the same set of
clubs for an extended period of time. For example, a set of irons
may be used by a golfer for periods in excess of five and sometimes
ten years.
[0003] Despite the various technological improvements, golf remains
a difficult game to play at a high level. For a golf ball to
reliably fly straight and in the desired direction, a golf club
must meet the golf ball square (or substantially square) to the
desired target path. Moreover, the golf club must meet the golf
ball at or close to a desired location on the club head face (i.e.,
on or near a "desired" or "optimal" ball contact location) to
reliably fly straight, in the desired direction, and for a desired
distance. Off-center hits may tend to "twist" the club face when it
contacts the ball, thereby sending the ball in the wrong direction,
imparting undesired hook or slice spin, and/or robbing the shot of
distance. Club face/ball contact that deviates from squared contact
and/or is located away from the club's desired ball contact
location, even by a relatively minor amount, also can launch the
golf ball in the wrong direction, often with undesired hook or
slice spin, and/or can rob the shot of distance. Inasmuch as it is
difficult for a golfer to maintain a square club head, a squared
contact can still result in undesirable results.
[0004] As a golf club strikes a ball time and again, golf club
performance begins to deteriorate. For example, the amount and
direction of spin imparted on a golf ball by the face of a golf
club can gradually change over time as the face of the club changes
due to repeated hits of golf balls. Nicks in the face of a club may
cause undesired spin characteristics and/or loss of the ability to
impart spin. Also, the grooves of a club can become shallower or
uneven as the face of the club gets worn. This fact is particularly
true for wedges or other clubs that are used for hitting balls out
of the sand, dirt, or other abrasive terrain. Repeated hits can
actually modify the face of a club itself. In addition, the hosel
may lose some of its stiffness resulting in undesired energy
dissipation from its increasing flexibility. The above-described
gradual deterioration in club head performance over time is
typically transparent to the golfer.
SUMMARY
[0005] The following presents a general summary of aspects of the
disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of the
invention and its various features. This summary is not intended to
limit the scope of the invention in any way, but it simply provides
a general overview and context for the more detailed description
that follows.
[0006] Illustrative aspects of this disclosure relate to golf club
heads including wear indicators, as well as to golf clubs including
such heads.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A more complete understanding of the present invention and
certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the
following detailed description in consideration with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1A provides a front view of an example iron type golf
club including an iron type golf club head.
[0009] FIG. 1B provides a rear view of the iron type golf club head
in FIG. 1A.
[0010] FIGS. 2A and 2B provide front and rear views, respectively,
of an example iron type golf club head in accordance with
illustrative aspects of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 provides an enlarged view of an illustrative insert
for inserting into a golf club in accordance with illustrative
aspects of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 provides a front view of an example wood type golf
club head in accordance with illustrative aspects of the
invention.
[0013] FIGS. 5A and 5B provide the front and rear views,
respectively, of a two-part golf club head in accordance with
illustrative aspects of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an individual groove
configuration in accordance with illustrative aspects of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates another example golf club head in
accordance with illustrative aspects of this invention.
[0016] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate cross sectional views of an
example golf club head in accordance with illustrative aspects of
this invention.
[0017] The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not
necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the following description of various example structures
according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way
of illustration various example articles, including one or more
golf club or golf club head structures. Additionally, it is to be
understood that other specific arrangements of parts and structures
may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be
made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Also, while the terms "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "side,"
"rear," and the like may be used in this specification to describe
various example features and elements of the invention, these terms
are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the
example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during
typical use. Additionally, the term "plurality," as used herein,
indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or
conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Nothing in
this specification should be construed as requiring a specific
three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within
the scope of this invention. However, aspects of the invention may
be used with any of several types of golf clubs, including
iron-type clubs, wood-type golf clubs, hybrid type golf clubs,
putter-type golf clubs and the like and nothing in the
specification or figures should be construed to limit the invention
to the specific clubs described.
[0019] In general, the disclosure relates to golf ball striking
devices, such as golf club heads, and golf clubs, putter heads,
putters, and the like. Such golf ball striking devices, according
to at least some examples, may include a ball striking head and a
ball striking surface. Some more specific aspects relate to irons
and iron club heads; iron-type hybrid clubs and club heads;
wood-type golf clubs and club heads, including drivers, fairway
woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, and the like; putters and putter
heads; and the like.
[0020] According to various aspects of this invention, the golf
ball striking device may be formed of one or more of a variety of
materials, such as metals (including metal alloys), ceramics,
polymers, composites (including fiber-reinforced composites), and
wood, and may be formed in one of a variety of configurations,
without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In one
illustrative embodiment, some or all components of the head,
including the face and at least a portion of the body of the head,
are made of metal. It is understood that the head may contain
components made of several different materials, including graphite,
carbon-fiber, composites and other components. Additionally, the
components may be formed by various forming methods. For example,
metal components (such as titanium, aluminum, titanium alloys,
aluminum alloys, steels (including stainless steels), and the like)
may be formed by forging, molding, casting, stamping, machining,
and/or other known techniques. In another example, composite
components, such as carbon fiber-polymer composites, can be
manufactured by a variety of composite processing techniques, such
as prepreg processing, powder-based techniques, mold infiltration,
and/or other known techniques.
[0021] At least some examples of golf ball striking devices relate
to golf club head structures, including heads for iron-type golf
clubs including long iron clubs (e.g., driving irons, zero irons
through five irons, and hybrid type golf clubs), short iron clubs
(e.g., six irons through pitching wedges, sand wedges, lob wedges,
gap wedges, and/or other wedges), and wood-type golf clubs, such as
drivers and fairway woods, and putters. Such devices may include a
one-piece construction or a multiple-piece construction.
[0022] Referring to the figures and following discussion, golf
clubs and golf club heads in accordance with examples of this
invention are described. As discussed above, the golf club and club
head structures described herein may be described in terms of
iron-type golf clubs. However, the present invention is not limited
to the precise arrangements disclosed herein but applies to golf
clubs generally, including wood-type clubs, hybrid clubs, and the
like.
[0023] FIGS. 1A and 1B generally illustrate an example of an iron
type golf club 100 and/or golf club head 102. The golf club head
102 in this example includes a body 101, a face 103 and a hosel
104. In addition to the golf club head 102, the overall golf club
structure 100 includes a shaft member 106 received in and/or
inserted into and/or through the hosel 104, and a grip or handle
member 108 (not drawn to side) attached to the shaft member 106.
The body 101 includes a sole portion 105 and a rear surface 107
opposite the face 103. In this example, the body 101 includes the
face 103. It will be appreciated that golf club heads are known in
which a face plate may be interchanged and coupled to a main
portion of the body via adhesives, forging and other known coupling
methods. For purposes of the instant disclosure, such
interchangeable face plates will also be considered part of the
body. Optionally, if desired, the external hosel 104 may be
eliminated and the shaft member 106 may be directly inserted into
and/or otherwise attached to the head member 102 (e.g., through an
opening provided in the top of the club head 102, through an
internal hosel member (e.g., provided within an interior chamber
defined by the club head 102), etc.).
[0024] The shaft member 106 may be received in, engaged with,
and/or attached to the club head 102 in any suitable or desired
manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the
art, without departing from the invention. As more specific
examples, the shaft member 106 may be engaged with the club head
102 via a hosel member 104 and/or directly to the club head
structure 102, e.g., via adhesives, cements, welding, soldering,
mechanical connectors (such as threads, retaining elements, or the
like, including selectively releasable mechanical connectors),
etc.; through a shaft-receiving sleeve or element extending into
the club head body 102; etc. The shaft member 106 also may be made
from any suitable or desired materials, including conventional
materials known and used in the art, such as graphite based
materials, composite or other non-metal materials, steel materials
(including stainless steel), aluminum materials, other metal alloy
materials, polymeric materials, combinations of various materials,
and the like. Also, the grip or handle member 108 may be attached
to, engaged with, and/or extend from the shaft member 106 in any
suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners known
and used in the art, e.g., using adhesives or cements; via welding,
soldering, adhesives, or the like; via mechanical connectors (such
as threads, retaining elements, etc.); etc. As another example, if
desired, the grip or handle member 108 may be integrally formed as
a unitary, one-piece construction with the shaft member 106.
Additionally, any desired grip or handle member materials may be
used without departing from this invention, including, for example:
rubber materials, leather materials, rubber or other materials
including cord or other fabric material embedded therein, polymeric
materials, cork materials (synthetic or natural), and the like.
[0025] FIG. 2A illustrates an iron type golf club head 102 having
cavities 115a, 115b, and 115c, which are configured to receive
inserts and form part of the face 103, and cavities 115d, which are
configured to receive inserts in the club head 102 and form part of
the hosel 104. The cavities 115a are provided in a toe region 109
of club head face 103. Cavities 115b are provided between adjacent
grooves on the club head face 103. In this example, three cavities
115b are provided between grooves 113a and 113b and three other
cavities 115b are provided between grooves 113c and 113d. Also,
cavity 115c is provided in a heel region 111 of the club head face
103. It will be appreciated that any desired number of cavities
115a, 115b, 115c and 115d may be provided from one to multiple
cavities. Also, the cavity or cavities may be located at any
desired position on the club head face 103 and/or hosel 104. For
example, one cavity 115c may be provided in the heel region and no
other cavities may be provided. Also, a cavity 115d may be provided
in the hosel without other cavities on the hosel 104 or club head
face 103, or with one or more other cavities.
[0026] Two illustrative inserts 112 are shown in FIG. 2A to be
inserted into corresponding cavities 115a. Other inserts (not
shown) similar to inserts 112 may be inserted into the other
cavities 115a, 115b, 115c and 115 in the club head 102. It will be
appreciated that inserts and cavities can have different shapes and
sizes. The cavities 115b positioned between neighboring grooves can
be limited in size by the space between grooves and the need to
avoid structurally compromising the efficacy of the grooves.
[0027] The inserts 112 are provided to function as wear indicators
to allow an individual such as a golfer to understand the degree of
wear that the club has undergone. For example, the insert 112 can
indicate that the face has worn sufficiently to affect club
performance or that the COR (coefficient of restitution) has
declined, that is that the transfer of energy from the club head
102 to a ball has fallen to a level that can effect the carry
distance of a golf ball when struck by the club head. The amount of
stress and pressure the club head has experienced through repeated
impacts in the long run causes deterioration in club head
performance. Here, the goal is to inform the golfer of the degree
of deterioration though the wear indicator function.
[0028] FIG. 3 provides an illustrative insert 112, which may be
divided into two regions 122, 124. The regions 122, 124 each
include a variable viscosity material that remains separated from
one another in the absence of pressure. However, when the pressure
on the regions of the insert 112 exceeds a threshold pressure, the
materials in the respective regions 122, 124 mix together.
Discussion of such materials and their use is provided in U.S. Pat.
No. 7,353,770. The two different regions may have a distinguishable
visual appearance from one another such that when the materials mix
together, a golfer can visually discern the difference from when
the materials in the regions 122, 124 were not mixed. For example,
before repeated impacts with a golf ball, the boundary 123 between
the regions 122, 124 blends in with the remaining portions of the
club head 102 (e.g., the toe portion 109, the heel portion 111, the
hosel 104). Over time from repeated impacts to the face 103 of the
club head 102 the regions 122, 124 mix or bleed together, and the
appearance of the insert 112 gradually changes to contrast (e.g.,
distinct color difference, variations in color intensity, different
shades or patterns, etc.) with the face 103 and/or hosel 104 as a
whole. By calibrating the degree of mixture between the two regions
122, 124, the degree of wear the club has undergone may be
reflected by the level of contrast between the insert 112 and other
portions of the golf club head 102. Those of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that regions 122 and 124 may be formed of a
variety of known materials that have a tendency to mix together to
a great degree when under pressure or stress. In one aspect, the
regions 122, 124 may be formed of a viscoplastic or non-Newtonian
liquid. Viscoplastics behave like solids below a certain stress
level such as a yield stress. Above that stress level, the
viscoplastics behave like a viscous liquid. The regions 122 and 124
may be formed of another non-Newtonian liquid such as
pseudoplastics, which are also referred to as shear thinning
liquids, which experience a decreased viscosity upon an increase in
shear rate. The insert 112 will in most aspects have a surface
coating so that the non-Newtonian liquid is not directly exposed to
the environment. The surface coating for an insert 112 on the face
103 is generally durable and able to withstand the repeated impact
of the club head face 103 with a golf ball. In one example, the
surface coating can be a clear polyurethane coating similar to the
material utilized in golf balls. The surface coating may be applied
using the methods known by one of ordinary skill in the art such as
spray coating, or depositing particles of the coating on the
surface and heating the surface so that the particles attach to the
surface forming a coating.
[0029] When the golf club head is relatively new, regions 122 and
124 including viscoplastic materials, will generally remain
distinct or separate from each other at stresses below the yield
stress. As the club head 102, for example the face 103, begins to
lose its resiliency or spring like characteristics, the stress on
regions 122 and 124 will increase and eventually exceed the yield
stress such that the regions 122 and 124 will become viscous and
mix together. Since the mixing of the viscous materials causes a
visual change to the insert 112, a golfer can visually recognize
that the performance of the club head is deteriorating. For
example, the mixing of regions 122 and 124 may cause a
progressively darker region to form visually notifying the user
that the club head performance has weakened and it is time to
obtain a new club. The yield stress may be calibrated to the known
rate of wear of a golf club.
[0030] It will be appreciation that regions 122 and 124 may be
non-Newtonian viscoplastics or non-Newtonian shear-thinning
materials. For example, regions 122 and 124 may be formed of
Newtonian materials that have a viscosity such that the degree of
mixing of the two regions 122 and 124 may be controlled as a
function of pressure as is known in the art. It is also
contemplated that the regions 122 and 124 may be formed of a
material or materials having a viscosity that decreases as a
function of time such that the viscosity of regions 122 and 124
would decrease over time and blending would occur.
[0031] In one aspect, the regions 122 and 124 may be formed of the
same material having the same viscosity as a function of pressure
on the regions. However, in alternative embodiments, the regions
122 and 124 may be formed of the same material, but may have
different viscosities for a given pressure. Moreover, the regions
122 and 124 may be different materials altogether. For example, one
of the regions 122, 124 may be a viscoplastic material, while the
other is a shear-thinning material. In a further aspect, one of the
regions may be formed of a variable viscosity material as described
above, while the other material is formed of a solid or a material
having a constant viscosity. According to this aspect, the constant
viscosity material would have a porosity allowing the variable
viscosity material to bleed into the constant porosity material as
a function of pressure.
[0032] As discussed, the regions 122 and 124 will have a visually
distinct appearance from an unmixed state and a mixed state so that
a golfer can visually discern when and how much the regions have
blended together. In one example, the region 122 may be clear and
the region 124 may include a color dye, such as red dye. Both
regions 122 and 124 may be colored with different colored dyes. In
these cases, upon a change in viscosity, the two colors can mix
together to form a third color as the wear indicator. In another
example, both materials may be clear, but one of the regions may
have colored particles suspended within the material. Thus, upon
wear and the threshold yield stress on the regions 122 and 124
being exceeded, the region including the particles may bleed into
the other region so that particles then enter the opposite
region.
[0033] An insert in the hosel 104 showing signs of wear will
indicate that the hosel is losing some stiffness. Generally
speaking, wear exhibited by an insert means that performance of the
club head 102 is deteriorating in one or more ways such as through
nicks in the face, grooves in the face becoming shallower or losing
their shape, and the surface of the face becoming uneven or
deviating from the original manufactured structured.
[0034] FIG. 2B shows the golf club head 102 from a rear perspective
including cavities 115e, 115f and 115g, which are configured to
receive an insert 112. Cavity 115e is provided on the sole portion
105 and configured to receive an insert 112. Cavities 115f are
provided on a region of the body 101 on the rear surface (on an
opposite side of the body from the face 103) in a region closer to
the sole portion 105 than the top surface 117 of the club head 102.
Cavities 115g are provided on a region of the body 101 on a rear
surface closer to the top surface 117 of the club than the sole
portion of the club. One cavity 115a, 115b, 115c, 115d, 115e, 115f
or 115g or any combination of cavities may be provided for the club
head 102 to allow for a golfer to detect that the golf club is
wearing and the degree of wear.
[0035] In still another aspect a substantial portion of the rear
surface of the upper member club head 102 may function as the wear
indicator. That is, a portion of the rear surface of the body 101
behind the face 103 may be formed as one of the above described
materials to provide an indication of the degree of wear a club
head has undergone. According to this aspect a translucent coating
such as clear polyurethane coating may be provided on the surface
such that when the yield stress exceeds the threshold and mixing of
materials takes place, a person may be readily able to visually
discern the wear state of the club head 102. Alternatively, a clear
plastic or clear polymer may function as a window to the wear
indicator on the rear surface. In this instance, a color change can
be readily seen through the "window".
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a wood-type golf club 120 according to
one example of this invention including a club head 121 with
cavities 115a, 115b, 115c, 115d and 115h. For ease of reference,
some of the same reference numerals have been used for the
wood-type golf club 120 as for the iron type golf club 100 and the
more detailed descriptions thereof have been omitted. The inserts
112 may be applied to a wood type club head 121 in the same matter
as an iron type club head 102 as discussed with respect to FIG. 2A.
Though not shown, the cavities 115b in a central portion of the
face 103 may be spaced between neighboring grooves 113e and 113f.
The grooves may extend through the central region. The cavities
115h are positioned above the grooves and the desired or optimum
ball impact zone represented by the substantially circular portion
in a center portion of the face 103 between the grooves of the club
head 121.
[0037] According to another aspect of an iron-type golf club head,
a wear indicator may be provided in a two-part club head as
described in commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/564,988 entitled "Golf Club Having Two-Part Head",
which is herein incorporated by reference. FIG. 5A illustrates a
front view of a two-part club head 200, which maintains the
appearance of a conventional, single piece club head. That is, the
face size and profile are similar or substantially similar to a
conventional club head. However, the club head 200 is formed of two
distinct pieces. The club head 200 shown includes a face 202 having
ball striking member 202a which is connected to the hosel region
204, which can be connected to a shaft (not shown). The ball
striking member 202a may be connected to the hosel region 204 via
known methods of connection, including adhesives, cements, welding,
mechanical fasteners, and the like. As another alternative, the
ball striking member 202a may be integrally formed with the hosel
region 204.
[0038] In addition, the club head face 202 includes an upper member
202b that, in some arrangements, may not form a portion of the
striking face. That is, the design of the club is such that, as the
club head 200 strikes the ball, contact between the club head 200
and the ball may be, and is intended to be, between the ball
striking member 202a of the club head 200 and the golf ball and not
between the upper member 202b and the golf ball. The upper member
202b may be arranged on a top surface of the ball striking member
202a and may be connected or bonded to the ball striking member
202a via known methods of attachment such as adhesives, cements,
mechanical fasteners, metal joining processes such as welding, and
the like.
[0039] In some examples, the ball striking member 202a may be
formed of a high or higher density material than the upper member
202b. For instance, the ball striking member 202a may be formed of
various types of metals or composite materials having a relatively
high density. In some examples, the ball striking member 202a may
be formed of carbon steel, stainless steel, or other materials used
in ball striking members. The upper member 202b may be formed of a
material less dense than that of the ball striking member 202a.
[0040] FIG. 5B is a rear view of the club head 200 of FIG. 5A. As
shown, the club head 200 has the profile, size and general look of
a traditional, one-piece or single material club. However, the club
head 200 includes two-pieces 202a, 202b, as indicated by the
separation line 208, and the two pieces are formed of two different
materials. The separation line 208 is merely illustrated to
indicate one possible location of separation between the ball
striking member 202a and the upper portion 202b. The position of
the separation may vary and the separation line 208 between the
ball striking member 202a and the upper member 202b may not be
visible when the club is manufactured. However, the separation line
208 is included to indicate a general area of separation between
the ball striking member 202a and the upper member 202b, as shown
from a rear view.
[0041] One or more cavities 215a may be provided in the upper
member 202b of the club head face 202 as shown in FIG. 5A. The
cavities 215a, like the cavities described with respect to FIG. 2A,
may be of any shape and are configured to receive inserts for
functioning as a wear indicator, such as inserts 112 shown and
described in conjunction with FIG. 3. The cavities 215a may be of a
number of sizes that fit on the upper member 202b of club head face
202. In another aspect, the cavities may be positioned on the rear
surface of the upper member 215b for receiving the inserts 112 as
shown in FIG. 5B.
[0042] In still another aspect, all or a substantial portion of a
front surface of the upper member 202b or a rear surface of the
upper member 202b may function as the wear indicator. According to
this aspect a translucent coating may be provided on the surface
such that when the yield stress exceeds the threshold and mixing of
materials takes place, a person may be readily able to visually
discern the wear state of the club head 200.
[0043] In another aspect, a wear indicator may be provided in a
groove of a golf club head such as in groove 113a, 113b, 113c
and/or 113d shown in FIG. 2A. The wear indicator in the groove may
be provided in one or more grooves and alone, or in combination,
with any of the other wear indicators described in connection with
FIGS. 2A, 2B, 5A and 5B. FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged view of a
groove 300 (e.g., groove 113a) between face portions 301a and 301b.
The groove 300 may be formed in any suitable golf club or club
face, similar to the arrangement described above, and is generally
shown in an enlarged view to illustrate details of the groove 300
and groove insert 302. The groove 300 may have a generally square
or rectangular cross section and includes side walls 300a and 300b
and rear wall 300c. The groove 300 may include a groove insert 302
having a v-shaped end 304 that forms a v-shaped groove. In
addition, the groove 300 may include a compressible support 320
including regions 320a and 320b, which serve as a wear indicator,
arranged between the groove insert 302 and the rear wall 300c of
the groove 300. The groove insert 302 may abut the compressible
support 320. An illustrative groove structure is described in
commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/469,831 entitled "Golf Club With Golf Club Head Having
Compressible V-Shaped Grooves".
[0044] In the arrangement shown, the side walls 300a and 300b and
rear wall 300c of the groove 300 may be formed of a dense material,
such as metals, composites, etc. as described above. The groove
insert 302 may be formed of a softer metal, polymer, thermal
plastic, and the like. In some arrangements, the groove insert 302
may be formed of the same material as the groove 300. That is, both
the groove insert 302 and groove 300 may be formed of a dense
metal. The compressible support 320 may, in some arrangements, be
formed of a polymer, thermal plastic, or other similar material
that is configured to compress when the club face strikes the ball.
More specifically, the regions 320a and 320b of compressible
support 320 behave similarly to the regions 122 and 124 discussed
in connection with FIG. 3. That is, the regions 320a and 320b may
each include a variable viscosity material which remains separated
from one another in the absence of pressure. However, when the
pressure on the regions 320a and 320b exceeds a threshold pressure,
the materials in the respective regions mix together. As the groove
insert 302 experiences repeated contact with a golf ball, more
pressure will be applied to the groove insert 302 by a ball when
struck, which will then be applied to the compressible support 320.
It will be appreciated that each of the above aspects of the
regions 122 and 124 described in FIG. 3 may be applied to the
regions 320a and 320b of the compressible support 320.
[0045] The groove insert 302 may be made of a translucent material
or some other material which allows a golfer to visually discern
the degree of mixing that has occurred in regions 320a and 320b. As
such, the golfer will be able to visually discern the degree of
wear that the golf club head has experienced.
[0046] Other ways of using the inserts described above to provide a
wear indicator may be possible without departing from this
invention. For example, the inserts may include an ink or dye
material under pressure. In such a system, excessive wear may
result in puncturing or wearing through an exterior surface of the
insert such that the ink or dye material is forced outward and
stains the club head face and/or the ball. As another example, the
inserts may include a "whistle" type feature or other sound
producing structure that will provide an audible response when
excessive wear has occurred. For example, the insert could be
pressurized, as described above, and equipped with a whistle
structure at the outlet. In such as system, when the exterior
surface of the insert is worn away or punctured, the pressurized
gas within the insert will escape from the insert via the whistle
opening provided at the outlet, thereby causing an audible whistle.
As another example, the pressurized gas could cause an audible
"pop" when the exterior surface of the insert is worn away. As yet
another example, a whistle structure could be provided such that
once the exterior surface of the insert is worn away, the motion of
the club during a swing will cause air to pass through a whistle
structure thereby providing an audible response. Other ways of
providing an audible response when excessive wear is experienced
may be provided without departing from this invention. Moreover,
the various alternatives described above also may be used in
combination with the various visual wear indicators also described
above.
[0047] According to another aspect of the invention, a wear
indicator may be realized by providing coatings on a club head
face. FIG. 7 provides an illustrative iron type golf club head 102
according to certain aspects. For ease of reference, some of the
same reference numerals have been used for the iron type golf club
head 102 in FIG. 7 as for the iron type golf club 100 and iron type
golf club head 102 with reference to previous figures including
FIG. 2A and the more detailed descriptions thereof have been
omitted. The face 103 is divided into a toe region 109, a central
region 130 and a heel region 111. The central region corresponds to
the area depicted in FIG. 7, which is between the toe area 109 and
heel area 111 and bounded by the edges 130a and 130b. The edges
130a and 130b are provided in FIG. 7 for illustrative purposes, and
may or may not be visible. The central region includes the desired
or optimal ball impact location, which generally corresponds to the
desired location that the ball makes contact with the face 103 to
provide the best results. During manufacturing one or more coatings
may be applied to the face 103 including the central region 130.
The outer surface of the face 103 includes a layer of coating. In
one aspect, an underlayer is immediately below the layer of coating
on the face 103. As the face 103 repeatedly strikes a golf ball,
the layer of coating will begin deteriorating, such as by cracking,
chipping, abrading, or peeling off, exposing the underlayer. The
underlayer is set to be visually discernible from the layer of
coating so that a golfer can detect when the underlayer has become
exposed and how much of the layer of coating has worn away to
reflect the degree of deterioration of the club head. That is, the
underlayer and layer of coating on the surface may be of different
colors, shades, patterns and may otherwise vary in color intensity
to allow a golfer to readily detect the condition of the club head
face 103. In one aspect, the outer coating may be a ceramic or
polymer and the underlayer may be a thin colored layer of nylon or
colored-metal such as titanium or other metals known to be used for
the face of a golf club head. It will be appreciated that any
portion of the face in the central region 130, toe region 109
and/or heel region 111 may include an underlayer and a layer of
coating on the underlayer.
[0048] As some additional examples, if desired, the outer coating
may be a metal or metal alloy and the under layer also may be a
metal or metal alloy. The two layers may be engaged with one
another in any desired manner, such as by adhesives or cements; by
electroplating; by mechanical connectors; by nano-coating
techniques; etc. In some examples the outer layer may be made of
steel or titanium based materials while the underlayer is made from
a different colored metal or metal alloy, such as a copper or
bronze based materials. As another example, if desired, the
underlayer may be painted a different color from the outer layer
such that the painted surface is exposed when the outer layer is
worn away.
[0049] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate cross sectional views of a golf
club head 102 including a face member 103 having a double metal
layer. The face member 103 includes grooves 113 formed therein. In
this example structure 102, the underlayer metal 802 forms the base
material of the club head 102, including a portion of the grooves,
while the exterior or outer layer 804 is formed on the under layer
802. As noted above, the underlay metal material 802 and the outer
layer metal material 804 may be colored differently from one
another. With use, the outer layer metal material 804 will begin to
wear away, particularly with repeated contact of the club head 102
with sand, dirt, stones, or other materials, and/or with repeated
contact of a ball with sand, dirt, stones, or other materials
between the club head 102 and the ball. When sufficient wear
occurs, the outer layer 804 will be worn away (in some instances,
particularly near the grooves 113) thereby exposing underlayer 802,
which can be discerned by the user due to the color change. This
color change may be used as a signal to the user that the club head
102 is sufficiently worn and should be replaced.
[0050] Alternatively, if desired, the outer layer 804 may form the
bulk of the club head structure 102 and the underlayer 802 may be a
thin layer of differently color material provided, for example,
within a recess defined behind at least some portion of the ball
striking face 103. As yet some additional examples, if desired, the
underlayer 802 need not form any portion of the club head grooves
(if any). The underlayer 802 may be provided behind any desired
area or portion of the club head face 103 without departing from
this invention.
[0051] Multi-layered structures like that shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B
also may be used in structures in which at least one of the layers
is a non-metal material, such as a polymeric material. Examples of
suitable polymeric materials include, but are not limited to:
PEBAX.RTM. (polyether-block co-polyamide polymers available from
Atofina Corporation of Puteaux, France), thermoplastic polymers,
thermosetting polymers, etc.
[0052] In still another aspect, a colored region may extend across
the bottom half of the central region 130. In this example, the
colored region may provide an initial color intensity or color that
is visually discernible to a golfer while the color intensity of
the toe region 109, heel region 111 and other portions of the
central region 130 contrasts from the colored region. In response
to wear on the face 103 of the club head 102, the initial color
intensity in the portion of central region 130 gradually changes
and signals to the user that the club head performance is
deteriorating (e.g., changing to the same color as the toe region
109 or heel region 111). The colored region can be provided, for
example, by a ring dyeing process in which the portion of the face
103 contacts with a dye for a time sufficient to allow dye to
accumulate or adhere on the surface. The amount of dye applied to
the surface can be calibrated in accordance with how think a layer
is desired. That is, the degree of dye penetration and the degree
of dye fastness of a selected surface portion is coordinated with
the wear characteristics of the club head 102 so that changes in
color intensity provide a reliable indication of deterioration due
to wear. Illustrative dyes include food dyes and certified food
colorants. The dye process and materials, which may be implemented,
are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,255 entitled "Novel Brush
Filaments", which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0053] It will be appreciated that any portion of the face in the
central region 130, toe region 109 and/or heel region 111 may serve
as a colored region. Also, different dyes may be used in different
regions to more accurately reflect the wear and use associated that
particular region. For example, the heel region 111, toe region 109
and central region 111 may experience different expect levels of
wear. As such, the wear characteristics can be calibrated on a
region by region basis should more than one colored region be
provided.
[0054] As noted above, aspects of this invention may be practiced
with any desired type of golf club head without departing from this
invention. Nonetheless, aspects of this invention may be
particularly useful for golf clubs intended to hit the ball from
the ground, such as from sand, dirt, grass, etc. As some more
specific examples, aspects of this invention may be practiced with
iron type golf clubs having a loft angle of at least 40.degree.,
and in some more specific examples, for clubs having a loft angle
in the range of 44.degree. to 68.degree. or even 48.degree. to
64.degree..
CONCLUSION
[0055] While the invention has been described in detail in terms of
specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying
out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described systems and methods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the
invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended
claims.
* * * * *